Different Types of Water Softener Systems

If you are experiencing soap residue on your clothes, lime deposits in your tub or shower, spots on your dishes, or corroded pipes, you may have hard water. Water softeners are the most common remedy for problems related to hard water. Water softener systems combat the problem by removing the minerals that can cause the problem. There are a variety of types of water softeners. The most popular of these include water filters, mechanical water softeners, chemical water softeners, and magnetic water softeners. Understanding the difference systems used in the mineral removal process of water softener can help you decide the best one for your needs.

Having water filters installed is the simplest method of softening water. It involves having a portable filter installed to keep the unwanted minerals from entering into your drinking water. The benefits of using water filters are that the water that flows through the filter is fit for drinking. By doing so the water is softened and unwanted chemicals are removed from the water. The downside of using water filters is that they only affect what you drink. The system does not affect mineral deposits that can build up in your pipes. The average cost of water filters is about .05 per liter.

Mechanical water softeners use a process called ion exchange that substitutes the calcium and magnesium in the water with salt. Since these systems results in some of the sodium remaining in the water, one disadvantage of the system is that it may increase the salt intake of individuals who drink the water. This is an especially important concern for people who are on a low sodium diet. Many people who use this type of system usually purchase a whole-house system that includes water filters that are installed in the kitchen sink and that bypass the salt filtration. Costing upwards of $3,000, these systems are the most expensive of water softener systems. The advantages of using mechanical water softeners are similar to other systems: elimination of limescale and an expanded life span of clothes and heating units.

Mechanical and chemical systems function similarly. Manufacturers of these systems generally provide a manual and automatic version. As you would expect, the manual systems requires that you monitor the operation of the system yourself and add chemicals or salt when needed. The obvious downside of these types of water softener equipments is that they can require a significant amount of maintenance time. Their more popular counterparts, automatic water softeners, handle just about all the necessary functions themselves. All that you need to do is refill the resin tank when the alarm sounds to indicate the tank has reached its refill level.

The most recent innovation in water softener equipments is the use of magnets to prevent the effects of hard water from occurring within the pipes by releasing an electric current onto the hard water as it is filtered through a field of magnetic electricity. There are several advantages associated with using magnetic water softeners. Since there is no actual interaction with the water, these systems essentially require no maintenance. In addition, while most water softeners that reduce the amount of unpleasant elements in water so that it is no longer hard make the water unfit for drinking, magnetic water softeners accomplish both.
 



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